These are the stories on Malta’s newspapers front pages.
MaltaToday reveals that a proposed new fuel station policy will prohibit the construction of stations outside development zones and on agricultural land. The paper says there are currently 12 new fuel station applications awaiting approval.
The Sunday Times publishes an interview with Faculty of Laws Dean Kevin Aquilina who described the current situation as the ‘worst constitutional mess since independence.’ The Dean spoke about the appointment of six new judiciary members this week.
The Independent on Sunday carries an interview with Customs Department director general Joseph Chetcuti who says that, although Malta caught 17 tonnes of drugs last year, drug lords only need 5 percent of their wares to go through to be profitable.
The Sunday Times reveals that more than €160 million were injected in Valletta since 2013, in preparation for the Capital of Culture title. The figure includes both public and private investments.
MaltaToday says that authorities will seal some 3,000 manholes around Malta and Gozo to stop the illegal disposal of waste. Farm animal carcasses, oil discharge, and other hazardous waste has been illegally dumped in sewers.
The Independent on Sunday goes on site in Miżieb as a BirdLife Malta team conducts surveillance for illegal hunting. It reports on the arrest of two men in the area, one for hunting and another for tipping him off.
The Sunday Times says that two separate inquiries into Chief of Staff Keith Schembri have not yet been concluded two years after they were opened. Schembri is being investigated for transactions with his accountant and separately, with the former managing director of Allied Newspapers.
Illum carries a story about investigations into the mayor of Rabat Charles Azzopardi on suspicion of corruption and nepotism. The mayor calls the investigations politically motivated, but clarifies that police are investigating the local council, not him personally.
Kulħadd says that the Labour Party’s election campaign leading up to May 25th starts today and announces the electoral slogan: Malta in our heart. The paper says the party has the largest number of candidates for local council elections.
It-Torċa leads with a story that the hoteliers and restauranteurs are lobbying to scrap Sunday rates for staff and decrease wages to the regular hourly rate. The paper says that the industry is seeing growth, with rising tourists and prices for services.
Il-Mument carries an interview with PN Secretary General Clyde Puli about the party’s electoral programme for the MEP elections. The paper says the programme has over 40 forward-looking proposals.
Illum speaks to Msida councillor Lino Bartolo who withdrew from the Labour Party group. He says he was hurt by the party’ decision to turn down his candidature but sources informed the paper that his colleagues threatened to resign if he was allowed to contest.
It-Torċa says that amendments to the laws will facilitate adoptions of Maltese children by Maltese parents. The paper reports on a conference on the theme of adoption addressed by foreign experts to help start the process in Malta.
Il-Mument publishes says that 112 councillors representing the Labour Party, among whom eight mayors, are not contesting this year’s elections. The paper says that many of them are dissatisfied with the party in government.
